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Author

Claudia Gärtner

Other affiliations: University of Düsseldorf
Bio: Claudia Gärtner is an academic researcher from Carl Zeiss AG. The author has contributed to research in topics: Lab-on-a-chip & Microfluidics. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 68 publications receiving 2277 citations. Previous affiliations of Claudia Gärtner include University of Düsseldorf.


Papers
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TL;DR: This paper presents an overview of existing polymer microfabrication technologies for microfluidic applications, namely replication methods such as hot embossing, injection molding and casting, and the technologies necessary to fabricate the molding masters.
Abstract: A growing number of microsystem technology (MST) applications, particularly in the field of microfluidics with its applications in the life sciences, have a need for novel fabrication methods which account for substrates other than silicon or glass. We present in this paper an overview of existing polymer microfabrication technologies for microfluidic applications, namely replication methods such as hot embossing, injection molding and casting, and the technologies necessary to fabricate the molding masters. In addition, techniques such as laser ablation and layering techniques are examined. Methods for bonding and dicing of polymer materials, which are necessary for complete systems, are evaluated.

853 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review will introduce the currently relevant microfabrication technologies such as replication methods like hot embossing, injection molding, microthermoforming and casting as well as photodefining methods like lithography and laser ablation for microfluidic systems and discuss academic and industrial considerations for their use.
Abstract: Polymers have assumed the leading role as substrate materials for microfluidic devices in recent years. They offer a broad range of material parameters as well as material and surface chemical properties which enable microscopic design features that cannot be realised by any other class of materials. A similar range of fabrication technologies exist to generate microfluidic devices from these materials. This review will introduce the currently relevant microfabrication technologies such as replication methods like hot embossing, injection molding, microthermoforming and casting as well as photodefining methods like lithography and laser ablation for microfluidic systems and discuss academic and industrial considerations for their use. A section on back-end processing completes the overview.

840 citations

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TL;DR: It is concluded that the perfused liver organoid shares relevant morphological and functional characteristics with the human liver and represents a new in vitro research tool to study human hepatocellular physiology at the cellular level under conditions close to the physiological situation.

182 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The need for low-cost microfabrication technologies in modern life-sciences is described in this article, where the authors compare the replication technologies, hot embossing and micro-injection molding and give an overview over the technologies used for fabrication of the replication masters.
Abstract: The need for low-cost microfabrication technologies in modern life-sciences is described. The article compares the replication technologies, hot embossing and micro-injection moulding and gives an overview over the technologies used for fabrication of the replication masters. The back-end processes transforming the replicated plastic part into a complete microsystem are described. Some manufacturing issues of mass production are discussed.

180 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A microsystem integrating electrochemical detection for the simultaneous detection of protein markers of breast cancer is reported and has been validated using real patient serum samples and excellent correlation with ELISA results obtained.
Abstract: A microsystem integrating electrochemical detection for the simultaneous detection of protein markers of breast cancer is reported. The microfluidic platform was realized by high precision milling of polycarbonate sheets and features two well distinguishable sections: a detection zone incorporating the electrode arrays and the fluid storage part. The detection area is divided into separate microfluidic chambers addressing selected electrodes for the measurement of samples and calibrators. The fluidic storage part of the platform consists of five reservoirs to store the reagents and sample, which are interfaced by septa. These reservoirs have the appropriate volume to run a single assay per cartridge and are manually filled. The liquids from the reservoirs are actuated by applying a positive air pressure (i.e.via a programmable syringe pump) through the septa and are driven to the detection zone via two turning valves. The application of the realised platform in the individual and simultaneous electrochemical detection of proteic cancer markers with very low detection limits are demonstrated. The microsystem has also been validated using real patient serum samples and excellent correlation with ELISA results obtained.

68 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This Account summarizes techniques for fabrication and applications in biomedicine of microfluidic devices fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS).
Abstract: This Account summarizes techniques for fabrication and applications in biomedicine of microfluidic devices fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The methods and applications described focus on the exploitation of the physical and chemical properties of PDMS in the fabrication or actuation of the devices. Fabrication of channels in PDMS is simple, and it can be used to incorporate other materials and structures through encapsulation or sealing (both reversible and irreversible).

2,490 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The focus of this review is microscale phenomena and the use of the physics of the scale to create devices and systems that provide functionality useful to the life sciences.
Abstract: ■ Abstract Fluid flow at the microscale exhibits unique phenomena that can be leveraged to fabricate devices and components capable of performing functions useful for biological studies. The physics of importance to microfluidics are reviewed. Common methods of fabricating microfluidic devices and systems are described. Components, including valves, mixers, and pumps, capable of controlling fluid flow by utilizing the physics of the microscale are presented. Techniques for sensing flow characteristics are described and examples of devices and systems that perform bioanalysis are presented. The focus of this review is microscale phenomena and the use of the physics of the scale to create devices and systems that provide functionality useful to the life sciences.

1,721 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Current and future applications of microfluidics are reviewed and the potential of 'lab-on-a-chip' technology for drug discovery is highlighted.
Abstract: Miniaturization can expand the capability of existing bioassays, separation technologies and chemical synthesis techniques. Although a reduction in size to the micrometre scale will usually not change the nature of molecular reactions, laws of scale for surface per volume, molecular diffusion and heat transport enable dramatic increases in throughput. Besides the many microwell-plate- or bead-based methods, microfluidic chips have been widely used to provide small volumes and fluid connections and could eventually outperform conventionally used robotic fluid handling. Moreover, completely novel applications without a macroscopic equivalent have recently been developed. This article reviews current and future applications of microfluidics and highlights the potential of 'lab-on-a-chip' technology for drug discovery.

1,642 citations

01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: Micromachining technology was used to prepare chemical analysis systems on glass chips that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic separation to distinguish sample components with no moving parts.
Abstract: Micromachining technology was used to prepare chemical analysis systems on glass chips (1 centimeter by 2 centimeters or larger) that utilize electroosmotic pumping to drive fluid flow and electrophoretic separation to distinguish sample components. Capillaries 1 to 10 centimeters long etched in the glass (cross section, 10 micrometers by 30 micrometers) allow for capillary electrophoresis-based separations of amino acids with up to 75,000 theoretical plates in about 15 seconds, and separations of about 600 plates can be effected within 4 seconds. Sample treatment steps within a manifold of intersecting capillaries were demonstrated for a simple sample dilution process. Manipulation of the applied voltages controlled the directions of fluid flow within the manifold. The principles demonstrated in this study can be used to develop a miniaturized system for sample handling and separation with no moving parts.

1,412 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The purpose of this review is to convey the fundamentals of droplet microfluidics, a critical analysis on its current status and challenges, and opinions on its future development.
Abstract: Droplet microfluidics generates and manipulates discrete droplets through immiscible multiphase flows inside microchannels Due to its remarkable advantages, droplet microfluidics bears significant value in an extremely wide range of area In this review, we provide a comprehensive and in-depth insight into droplet microfluidics, covering fundamental research from microfluidic chip fabrication and droplet generation to the applications of droplets in bio(chemical) analysis and materials generation The purpose of this review is to convey the fundamentals of droplet microfluidics, a critical analysis on its current status and challenges, and opinions on its future development We believe this review will promote communications among biology, chemistry, physics, and materials science

990 citations